A Collection Of Songs Written And Recorded 1995-1997
Reviewed by:
Otakutheiii, on july 02, 2007 2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sound: This is the first full Bright Eyes album, recorded from the ages 15 to 17(hence the name). It was recorded on a Teac four track cassette recorder in Conors' Parents basement. This gives a very, very lo-fi sound to the overall recording. The album shows his early experimentation with noises, radios, and sound collage. The music ranges from '90s lo-fi pop, (Falling Out of Love at This Volume) to folk-y meanderings, and Spanish style music. At this time, Conor had no one else to play with, and so he plays all instruments. The only collaboration is in the song Feb. 15(Conors birthday), with Neely Jenkins(who is now in Tilly and The Wall). The one main problem he had was with mic overload, because it can become unintelligible. If you don't mind the lo-fi-ness of the sound then you're going to like this. // 7

Lyrics: These lyrics show you the starting point for conors lyrics throughout his career. They are very poetic, with great uses of imagery and rhythm. He starts to develop a great rhyme style with his lyrics here. The words he uses paint a picture of his life, and show many emotions. The music and the lyrics meld well together, they blend into one solid wall of musical sadness. I'm probably one of the few people who likes his singing. Conor isn't a really bad singer, it's just that the sound and overall tone of his voice makes it sound bad. // 10

Overall Impression: If you've never heard of Bright Eyes get something like Fevers and Mirrors or Lifted, then get this. This will weed out a true fan from all of the hipsters in the room. This album is very strong for some one of his age. There are some weak points in the later part of the album. The strongest song that I can think of are Feb. 15, Falling Out of Love at This Volume, and I watched you taking off. I love the overall grittyness to the albums, the great lyrics, and the music in general. If you're already a big fan, get this album. This is a classic in the new Indie movement. // 9

A Collection Of Songs Written And Recorded 1995-1997
Reviewed by:
Pocketsss, on september 01, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sound: If you're new to Bright Eyes albums and are used to the more mainstream albums such as "Lifted" "I'm Wide Awake" and "Cassadaga" you may be a little shocked on first listen to this album. The first thing that hits you is how weak his voice is, even for Conor and the lo-fi sound quality. Considering this was recorded when Conor Oberst was between 14 and 18 these factors are easily excused, the voice has a raw and gritty textured feel which makes the album a little more personal than bombastic, fuller later albums. The four track recorder sound gets a little irritating at times when the clicks and fuzz are so loud you can barely hear what he's singing but once you're used to that, like I say you can hear the real beauty beneath in his lyrics and melodys. // 6

Lyrics: As with any Bright Eyes album, the lyrics are the strongest point. Deep, dark and full of imagery, teenage Conor explores the emotions and feelings most teenagers take for normality and busts them wide open in the way only he can. Considering his voice and musical talents are not yet matured, you would be forgiven in assuming his lyrics would be the same. The lyrics on this album are easily as good as any later album and show just how magnificent a writer and poet he is and why he is so revered in the indie circuit. // 9

Overall Impression: When laid bare next to the rest of the Bright Eyes catalogue you notice it has a very different and amateur sound in comparison but musically this album has just has many gems and fine points as any other album. The real highlights on this disc for me are "Saturday as usual", "Feb 15th" and "The feel good revolution", they show the roots beneath the speedily growing tree that is Conor Obersts musical creativity. His obsession with spoken word, sound bites and collage is also shown on a few tracks here, but it doesnt't't really feel complete and matured until the much later "Digital Ash In A Digital Urn" is released. What I love about this album is that it is really quite a dark secret among new Bright Eyes fans, only known to older fans or fans who love every aspect of Conor Obersts work and have hunted it down. I don't think it should stay this way of course because it is a wonderful debut album and more fans should take the chance to listen to it, but it is a good feeling when you show someone who has only heard "I'm wide awake it's morning" tracks, like "Emily, sing something sweet" and see their face.
The only thing I don't like about this CD is the lack of tracks. I mean for a kid who has himself admitted he has no control on his creative outlet, I feel there are probably a great amount of unheard Bright Eyes songs from this era that could of perhaps made a second disc. Never the less what is here is a great joy to hear.
If my copy of this album wore out I would replace it straight away, although I probably wouldn't buy it first hand again, it's definitely worth spending a few quid on. it's also very cheap in some places which gives you even less reason not to hear it. All in all it's a fine album that shows the beginning of something great that you won't wont to miss out on, even if it's just to see how far Bright Eyes has come. // 8

Yeah, I've heard a lot of people don't listen to him because they think his singing voice sounds bad. Me? I just think it's unique. It really sets him out from everyone else, and is a sure indicator of his emotions in his songs. This is one of the only cds I don't own by him, only because I cannot find it in our store.

This is a great album, one of the first Conor Oberst albums I owned. Lyrically its amazing, beautiful and touching. Musically its raw, edgy and creatively vast with lots to offer. Although the low sound quality may put off fans of IWAIM and Cassadaga, other fans will lap up this chance to view the first seeds of creative productivity from one of this decades Bob Dylans. Not quite as amazing as later albums but definitely worth a place in your CD collection.

when i first heard conor, i thought he really sucked. but then i got... well stoned. and thought this is some crazy stuff. then i heard it sober, and was really amazed by his rhythms, i did always thought that was the only good part. his voice, at first i wasnt listening, but his words and what he's putting together with it, was really amazing.